India to join global gay pride march
Updated
For the first time, Indian gay men, lesbians and transgendered individuals will march in nationwide gay pride events this weekend.
Homosexuality is officially illegal in India but the country's lesbians and gays say that will not stop them coming out for the country's first pride marches.
"That the march is happening now and not before is an indication that people are finally feeling brave enough to come out for that kind of celebration," said Lesley Esteves, 32, a gay rights activist who is one of the organisers of the parade in the capital New Delhi.
"It's only now we feel we have the numbers to do this."
Small gay pride marches of several hundred people have been held in the eastern city of Kolkata before, but this year is the first time events will also be held in New Delhi and in the southern city of Bangalore.
Activists say that while few people are arrested or convicted under the law, many gays and lesbians prefer not to come out.
Gay rights activists say this weekends nationwide marches show India has come a long way since 1999, when the first attempt at a pride march was made by just 15 people in Kolkata.
